Traditional West African Instruments Quiz

The shekere is a West African percussion instrument consisting of a dried gourd with beads or cowries woven into a net covering the gourd. The instrument is played by shaking or hitting it against the hands. The beads or shells strike the gourd, creating a distinctive sound that can be modulated by the strength of the shake or hit. This adaptability makes the shekere an essential instrument for rhythmic accompaniment in African music, capable of producing both rhythmic and melodic elements that enhance the texture of the musical composition.

The djembe is a traditional West African drum recognized for its distinctive goblet shape. It is carved from a single piece of wood and typically has a goat-skin head. This design allows for a wide range of tones, from high-pitched slaps to deep bass notes. The goblet shape is crucial because it amplifies the sound, making the djembe one of the loudest drums in traditional African music. Its versatility and powerful sound make it a popular choice in various musical genres and cultural celebrations across West Africa, serving as a central instrument in storytelling and ritual music.

The kora, a key instrument in West African music, features 21 strings which are played with the fingers in a manner akin to harp plucking. Its construction involves a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin to make a resonator, with a long hardwood neck. The number of strings allows the kora to produce a chromatic range of notes, making it suitable for complex melodies and harmonies that characterize West African griot storytelling. The kora's distinct sound and melodic capacity highlight its role in conveying oral history and folklore musically.

The balafon is similar to a xylophone and is a key melodic instrument in West African music. It consists of wooden keys suspended over gourd resonators that enhance the sound. Each gourd is fitted with a membrane that buzzes when struck, adding a distinctive timbre to the notes. This buzzing sound is achieved through precise construction and materials choice, emphasizing the balafon’s role in creating not only melody but also a rich, layered sound environment in performances, enhancing its capacity to interact with other traditional instruments.

The primary material used in constructing a kora is animal skin, specifically cowhide, which covers the calabash resonator. This skin is essential as it vibrates to produce sound when the strings are plucked. The selection of animal skin over other materials like synthetic fabrics is critical for achieving the kora’s warm, resonant tone. The quality and treatment of the skin directly impact the instrument's sound quality, demonstrating the intricate relationship between material choice and musical output in traditional instrument craftsmanship.

The marimba, which is not traditionally from West Africa but rather from Central America and parts of Africa like Zimbabwe, differs in both its geographical roots and musical role. Its inclusion as an incorrect answer highlights the distinct regional musical traditions and the importance of distinguishing between different cultural heritages in studying traditional music.

The balafon is played by striking its wooden keys with mallets, which not only produces notes but also triggers a buzzing sound from the membranes on the gourd resonators. This buzzing is intentional, adding a distinctive timbre to the music, which is characteristic of many West African instruments. This effect enriches the auditory palette of the ensemble, allowing for a more complex and textured soundscape, essential in traditional musical arrangements where each sound contributes to a larger narrative or emotional expression.

The tama, or talking drum, is unique for its ability to mimic the rhythm and prosody of human speech. Its hourglass shape can be squeezed under the arm, altering the pitch by tightening the drum’s laced strings. This feature allows performers to produce a variety of pitches and tones by modulating the pressure on the drum, facilitating a communicative style that can literally "speak" phrases through its sounds. The talking drum's communicative capacity is deeply integrated into West African culture, often used in ceremonies and important social events.

The dunun, often found in ensemble settings alongside the djembe, is a cylindrical drum played with sticks. It serves as the rhythmic backbone in many traditional West African music ensembles, providing a steady beat that supports the melodic and solo elements of other instruments. Its construction from wood and cowhide ensures it produces a deep, resonant sound that can sustain over other instruments, crucial for maintaining the rhythm and guiding dancers and singers during performances.

The calabash serves as a resonator in many string instruments, like the kora and ngoni. Its function is to amplify the sound produced by the strings, enhancing the instrument's volume and tonal quality. The shape and size of the calabash affect the resonance characteristics, influencing how sound waves are reflected inside and ultimately how the sound is projected outward. Its natural properties make it an ideal material for this purpose, demonstrating how traditional instrument makers utilize available resources to maximize musical expression.